Key Matches in the Key Races: Alternative K League 1 Round 30 Preview | OneFootball

The 2025 K League 1 season can be broken into a handful of key races, perhaps even fewer, with the title race more or less sewn up, and the automatic relegation spot firmly in one team's hands. But what are the key matches in the key races this weekend? An alternative preview looking ahead to 2025 Hana Bank K League 1 Round 30.

Top 4 Contenders vs. Relegation Fodder

Pohang Steelers (4th) vs. Jeju SK (11th)

Sunday 21st September - 19:00

After making their AFC Champions League Two debut away to BG Pathum United on Thursday, Pohang Steelers return to K League action on Sunday, looking to end a mini run of two without a win. A 1-1 draw in the East Coast Derby, coupled with Daejeon's loss to Jeonbuk, moved the Steelers level on points with Citizen in third, and just a point behind Gimcheon in second. A return to winning ways this weekend, then, could see Park Tae-ha's men move into second. Opponents Jeju SK, on the other hand, may be starting to look over their collective shoulders with Daegu's deficit now into single figures. Jeju make the trip to the Steel Yard on the back of two straight losses and a run of six without a win. The Islanders' dip in form could not have come at a worse time, and now have to make up a four-point gap with absolute safety. Each team has picked up a win in this fixture this season, but Pohang won the last meeting at the Steel Yard. They'll be without Yoo In-su through suspension following his red card in the loss to Anyang last time out.

Race for Final A

FC Seoul (7th) vs. Gwangju FC (5th)

Sunday 21st September - 19:00

FC Seoul may need to recalibrate their target for this season. A second successive season of AFC Champions League football will have been the aim heading into Kim Gi-dong's second season in charge, but back-to-back losses in the league has left the capital club outside the top six, albeit by only a point, and five points outside the top four. Seoul need to get back on track, and hope that teams above them drop points. This Sunday, Seoul face a team that sits above them in Gwangju FC. The Griffins are in good form, having won their last three on the bounce, and will be a tough nut to crack for a side lacking confidence. Seoul have beaten Gwangju this season, earning a 3-1 away win in Round 18, but Gwangju picked up all three points when they last met in the capital, thanks to goals from Reis and Park Tae-joon in Round 9.

K League TV [ENG]: here

Relegation Fodder vs. Top Six Hopefuls

Suwon FC (10th) vs. Gangwon FC (6th)

Sunday 21st September - 16:30

Suwon FC's four wins in a row from mid-July to early August are all forgotten about now, sitting 10th in the table following three straight losses and four losses in their last five. Having clawed their way out of the bottom three, the Castle Park club have work to do if they are to repeat that with ninth place now four points away. This Sunday, Suwon take on a team in Gangwon FC that will be full of confidence. The Bears marked their AFC Champions League Elite debut with a 2-1 win over Shanghai Shenhua on Tuesday, despite manager Jeong Kyung-ho fielding a rotated XI. Gangwon, now sitting in sixth place, have their sights firmly on the top six. Gangwon are unbeaten against Suwon this season, having drawn 0-0 at home in Round 11 and picked up a 2-1 away win in Round 21.

Worth a mention...

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (1st) vs. Gimcheon Sangmu (2nd)

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors' 1-0 win over Daejeon Hana Citizen last weekend, coupled with Gimcheon Sangmu's 2-1 home loss to Daegu FC, moved the Green Warriors 20 points clear. Not only could Jeonbuk seal the title before the split, they could do it in the next two rounds. A win over Gimcheon will be the first port of call. Gimcheon have lost their last two matches and could slip to fourth if results don't go their way this weekend. Jeonbuk have won their last three in a row, and, since the last meeting with Gimcheon in Round 21, have earned 21 points from 24 available.

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